Sunset Park Courthouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sunset Park Courthouse |
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|---|---|
The Municipal Court entrance on 42nd Street
to the former Sunset Park Courthouse (2015) |
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| General information | |
| Status | converted to non-judicial use (1962) |
| Architectural style | Neoclassical |
| Address | 4201 4th Avenue between 42nd and 43rd Streets |
| Town or city | Sunset Park, Brooklyn, New York City |
| Country | US |
| Coordinates | 40°39′02″N 74°00′29″W / 40.650504°N 74.007929°W |
| Current tenants | New York Police Department Community Board 7 |
| Construction started | 1930 |
| Completed | 1931 |
| Renovated | 1996 |
| Client | City of New York |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Mortimaer Dickerson Metcalfe |
| Designations | New York City Landmark (June 26, 2001) |
| Renovating team | |
| Architect | Helpern Arcnitects |
The Sunset Park Courthouse is a special building in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City. It is located at 4201 4th Avenue, between 42nd and 43rd Streets. This historic building was constructed between 1930 and 1931.
It was designed by Mortimer Dickerson Metcalfe. He was a Deputy State Architect. Metcalfe chose the Neoclassical style for the building. This style uses ideas from ancient Greek and Roman buildings. The Sunset Park Courthouse is one of only two courthouses Metcalfe designed in New York City.
Contents
What is the Sunset Park Courthouse?
The building has a front made of limestone. It features tall Ionic columns. These columns are a classic design element. The courthouse was built with two separate entrances. One entrance is on 42nd Street for the Municipal Court. The other is on 43rd Street for the Magistrates Court. Both entrances and their fronts look almost the same.
This building is one of the few old, important buildings left in the Sunset Park area. It stopped being used as a courthouse in 1962.
Building History and Design
The Sunset Park Courthouse was designed to serve as a place where legal cases were heard. It had different sections for different types of courts. The architect, Mortimer Dickerson Metcalfe, made sure the building looked grand and official. The Neoclassical style was popular for public buildings at that time. It showed strength and importance.
From Court to Community Center
After 1962, the building found new purposes. In 1970, it became home to the New York City Job Preparation Center. Around the same time, Community Board 7 also moved into the building. Community Boards help local residents with neighborhood issues.
By 1973, other groups used the building too. The Sunset Park Senior Citizens Center was one of them. Many non-profit organizations also found a space there. The building got a full update in 1996. Helpern Architects managed this renovation. Soon after, the New York Police Department moved in. They use it as a main center for people applying to join the police force.
A Protected Landmark
Because of its history and unique design, the Sunset Park Courthouse is very important. In 2001, it was named a New York City Landmark. This means the building is protected. Its special features must be preserved for future generations.
See also
In Spanish: Sunset Park Courthouse para niños
